The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County traces its roots back to the spring of 1938, when Isaiah Matlack, chair of the Asbury Park Kiwanis Club’s boys and girls program committee, proposed establishing a boys club in Asbury Park. As the program quickly grew, it became clear that the effort had outgrown its original structure, and in August of 1940 the Kiwanis Boys Club was formally renamed the Boys Club of Asbury Park.
Community leaders soon rallied around the need for a permanent home for the Boys Club. Through the efforts of Gus Villapiano and Thomas Shebell, Sr., James Rollo, who was president of the Asbury Park-New York Transit Company, became an early champion of the Club. He purchased land at 1201 Monroe Avenue and contributed $35,000 toward construction of a new facility. The Monroe Ave. Clubhouse opened on July 29, 1952.
In the years that followed, the Club continued to expand. A 1954 fundraising dinner honoring boxing champion Rocky Marciano raised $20,000 toward a new gymnasium. With Michael D. Ercolino serving as president, plans moved quickly and construction of the gymnasium was completed at a cost of $48,000. In June of 1968, a campaign to raise funds for an outdoor pool was successfully conducted, and by 1975, the pool was enclosed for year-round enjoyment.
In 1992, the organization became the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, reflecting a broader mission and reach. A revitalization effort in 2000 brought new volunteer and professional leadership, along with a strategic plan to guide future growth.
That growth continued in the years ahead. The Red Bank Unit opened in 2009, followed by expanded services during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Clubs operated as Remote Learning Centers to support students during virtual schooling. In 2022, the Long Branch site opened at the Bucky James Community Center, and in 2024, three new school-based sites launched in Asbury Park.
Today, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County serves more than 1,850 children and teens across Units and school-based sites in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Neptune, and Long Branch, continuing a legacy that began nearly nine decades ago.
June 1938
1938: Asbury Park Kiwanis Boys Club established
In the spring of 1938, Isaiah Matlack, chairman of the Asbury Park Kiwanis Club’s boys and girls program committee, recommended to the board of directors that they explore the possibility of establishing a boys club in Asbury Park.
June 1940
1940: A name change
In August of 1940, due to the rapid growth of the Boys Club program, the decision was made to change the name of the Kiwanis Boys Club to the Boys Club of Asbury Park.
June 1952
1952: Our Monroe Avenue building opened!
Through the efforts of Gus Villapiano and Thomas Shebell, Sr., the president of the Asbury Park New York Transit company, James Rollo, became interested in the establishment of a new boys home. Mr. Rollo purchased a land lot at 1201 Monroe Ave. for the new facility and contributed $35,000.00 toward the building cost. Construction began soon after, and the new Clubhouse was opened on July 29, 1952.
September 1954
1954: Monroe Ave Gymnasium Built
In September of 1954, a special gymnasium fundraising dinner was held honoring world boxing champion Rocky Marciano, and twenty thousand dollars was raised. With the election of Michael D. Ercolino as president, plans began to develop rapidly, and a contract was awarded to James Vacchiano for the construction of a gymnasium at a cost of $48,000.00.
January 1992
1992: The Boys Club changed its name to Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County
In 1992 the Boys Club changed its name to Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County.
September 2000
2000: Strategic revitalization
In September 2000 a revitalization of the organization resulted in new volunteer and professional leadership. A strategic plan was developed to guide the organization over the next several years.
September 2009
2009: Red Bank Unit opened it’s doors
In 2007 the Red Bank community was identified as an area of need. In September 2009, the Red Bank Unit opened its doors.
March 2020
2020: The Club goes remote
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club expanded its hours to open as Remote Learning Centers, allowing children to attend virtual school in a safe learning environment.
July 2021
July 2021: Programming launched in Neptune
In the Summer of 2021, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County launched a new site at College Achieve Charter School in Neptune.
September 2022
Opened a new Club in Long Branch
In 2022, our newest site opened in Long Branch at the Bucky James Community Center.
June 2023
2023: Celebrated our 85th Anniversary
As of 2023, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County is bettering the lives of over 1,100 children and teens at its units and school-based sites in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Neptune, and Long Branch.
